# NTSB FTW85LA348: Cessna A185F, N333WL, Catahoula, LA, September 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1985, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Catahoula, LA
- Coordinates: 30.119251, -91.830253 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1193&lon=-91.8303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA348

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - daylight (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM A BAYOU WITH INADEQUATE DISTANCE TO CLIMB ABOVE THE TREES GROWING ALONG EACH SIDE BEFORE THE BAYOU MADE AN APRX 120-DEG RIGHT TURN. IN ORDER TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE TREES THE PLT ENTERED A STEEP BANKED RIGHT TURN TO FOLLOW THE BAYOU. WHILE IN THE STEEP TURN THE ACFT STALLED AND SNAPPED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. IT THEN IMPACTED TREES ALONG THE RIGHT BANK OF THE BAYOU AND THEN THE BANK ITSELF. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED AND PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN THE BAYOU.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N333WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N333WL-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 18504127 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504127
- Airframe hours: 1807
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Weatherford Lamb US, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,958 total, 2,877 in this make and model, 3,884 as pilot in command, 137 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850913044969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850913044969A), Sep 13, 1985: Cessna A185F, Catahoula, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Attempted takeoff from bayou with insufficient straight length. Unable to climb over trees. Impacted water inverted

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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